WHO ARE THEY?

Ataracu are the alien race we call the Greys. They come from a star system in the Orion-Cygnus arm, located in our own Milky Way galaxy. They have a unique setting similar to Earth, except it consists of three planets, four moons and three suns. They call this systemAtara Niri, which means “Silver Light Suns.” One of the suns is referred to as “the sun of less warming.” They claim their worlds’ geological beginnings to be approximately 2.3 billion Atara years ago, or somewhere around 4.5 billion Earth Years. With the exception of a few unconfirmed legends, the Ataracu can trace their civilization’s historical roots to approximately 98 million years in their time or about 220 million Earth years. They only discovered Earth when it was in it’smid-Mesozoic era, about 165 million years ago, but left it alone for the most part because of vicious reptilian life forms. Earth was a very unstable place then, having gone through relentlessmeteor strikes, countless catastrophic global cooling and warming phases and several tectonic plate shifts. They didn’t establish long-term visits here until all the big aggressive reptiles died off, making the land more welcoming. They decided not to risk their own lives trying to explore such a hostile environment. Instead, they painstakingly measured depth, width and seismic activity from the skies above and created a basic grid point map for future use. They would re-map our ever-shifting land masses many times since and as the task became more complex, they realized all too well that further major environmental changes to the planet’s structure were inevitable in Earth’s future.RIFT

When environmental conditions were more suitable, they returned for brief visits to rectify some situations by planting new types of flora and fauna, and also by repopulating Earth with new animal species overbreeding on their own planets. They would revisit countless times to observe how all were adapting and evolving. They had yet to completely explore many deeper areas of Earth first hand. Approximately 4.5 million years ago, upon paying us yet another visit, they discovered an upright cave dwelling ape species in what we call theGreat Rift Valleyof Africa. They appropriately named their new find Fenib.Kuqai, the closet apes. These small, timid, simple-minded foraging apes somehow managed to survive the severe climate changes that killed off many other ape species that had once started to dominate the Earth in theMiocene era. The newly discovered upright apes were few in numbers, amounting to just over three-hundred in a few scattered, pocketed clans. They may have owed their unique survival to their warm, isolated paradise, but were now on the serious verge of extinction, partly due to new migrations of carnivorous animals into their domain, but also due to generations ofinbreeding among their small numbers. They weredying younger, growing frail and thin from a vitamin deficient diet. They were gaunt, rank, rife with body lice and devoid of any form of camouflage to hide them from hungry predators. They had literally lost most of their fur. Being mainly foragers made them vulnerable prey to the carnivores, while scavengers competed for their fruit, nuts, plants and berries. This left them hard-pressed for food gathering and more and more reliant on their cave shelters. Many young would succumb from being left alone for days without contact from the mother or other apes. Often, adults fell victim to the environment, never returning to the caves, which only added to the population decline.

Where once they could walk about freely, roll in the sand, play in the water pools or swing happily from the trees, they had suddenly been forced into hiding among their own sick and dying. The infant mortality rate was extremely high. Tender limbs of the freshly dead babies were soon being picked apart to be eaten for survival. This gave them their first taste of flesh and blood. All of the dead weren’t eaten, however, but merely tossed from the caves like little rag dolls, to be fought over, mauled, gnawed and dragged away by anything that would consider them a meal. Ata Quara scientists felt compelled to save this upright ape. They introduced genetic diversity by cross-breeding it with a smarter, more aggressive, sexually compatible ape species brought from the home worlds. This species they calledKuqaku Palu, the copper ape. It had no intellectual counterpart, being highly intelligent and easily trained, but it lacked the upright posture of the lesser cave apes. Cross-breeding was declared a success when the newborn mottle-skinned apes not only possessed camouflage, but intelligence and the advantage of an upright stature. Over time, Ata Quara, with the help of these copper apes, were able to train the resilient new apes on how to survive by means other than foraging and fearfully huddling in caves and trees. Food offerings were now being brought into cave shelters by the copper apes, who were both foragers and rodent killers, as gifts to any fertile or ready to mount closet ape. The gesture ultimately provided them with alternative sustenance and healthier births, affording them strengthin numbers. Thus began the dawn of a new upright ape civilization which eventually evolved into modern man.

The scientists started displacing fully trained upright mixed-breed apes to other regions of the planet to save them from further predation and from being rebred with the wrong ape species. Most were introduced into rat infested areas, for the purpose of honing their hunting skills and keeping the increasing rodent population down. As it went, our ancestors were also eventually taught how to build warming fires, and how to hunt bigger animals in the process. This set our evolutionary path as a stronger and wiser species who would eventually rule over all of Earth and it’s inhabitants, as the great Miocene apes almost did longbefore us. The two-hundred introduced copper apes not only willingly bred with our closet ape ancestors, but with several other ape clan minorities, as well as each other. Their lustful contribution to overbreeding of the closet apes and other ape species caused their pure blood line to become so lost in the gene pool that future copper ape generations rendered themselves non-existent through sterilization. That bloodline, however, still exists in purebred copper ape clans living freely in remote jungles of the Atara Niri worlds. On Earth, with the exception of the chimpanzee, who managed to survive as a separate species, the only descendants of those mixed breed apes are what we see here today. Thankfully, chimps and other apes are unable to reproduce with humans, even though we initially had the same forefathers as the chimps about seven million years ago. We never evolved from the chimps. Both their primitive lineage and ours originated somewhere in the Miocene ape era, with a common contributing species. One added to the chimp line and one to the upright ape line, leaving us to live side by side as two different ape species. The introduced copper ape came along almost two million years afterward to cross-breed with our line, but notwith the chimp’s. They were not able to cross-breed successfully with them by that time. We therefore evolved into humans and the chimps stayed the same. We can call the chimps distant cousins, but not parents or brothers. The introduced copper apes simply saved us through cross-breeding, allowing us to evolve into our current human form, thanks to the Ata Quara scientists. Since we weren’t the only species on Earth to be saved from extinction through cross-breeding, many otherodd life formsalso exist here today.

The WorldsThe largest planet is calledTiqur Nat Han, which means “Cradle of God.” This planet is twice the size of Earth and contains lush forests and countrysides, pristine lakes, rivers, valleys and mountains, two huge oceans, many villages and built up cities. The main city is calledEtuaku ej Piru or City of Kings. It contains the royal palace and grounds, as well as headquarters of government and military complexes. The military consists of theQuavian(Keepground force) and the Ata Quara(Keeplight air force).They refer to theirmilitary collective as aQua(Keep).The two smaller twin planets are roughly the size of Earth. They are calledTektu Nitar JubandSeta Nitar Jub. They are lush and bountiful like the bigger planet and also contain many of themanufacturing plants for their metals, machinery, electronics and flying craft. The Tiqur Nat Han moons areNatuandSaigh, They are small but inhabitible, although the Ataracu only keep them as wildlife sanctuaries and make annual use of the healing mineral springs of Natu. The moons of Seta Nitar Jub and Tektu Nitar Jub areLamandFaru They have poor air quality, acidic soil and are infested with insects that feed on the weed vegetation and each other. There is an annual excursion to hunt a giant lobster sized locust they consider a delicacy. Special protective suits and breathing apparatus must be worn. On all three planets, there is a temperate, rain forest type of climate for most of the year with mild winters and snow in the polar regions. Weather conditions vary from infrequent heavy rains to static storms, mild rains, cooling winds and varying degrees of sunshine.

The Craft We call them UFO’s and flying saucers, but they refer to theirmagnetic wave riding vessels asTarior bells. The word Tar(bell) also applies to many other vibration producing mechanisms, especially in their medical field. Tar Apulmeans bell sound or vibration. They have four wave riding Tar models;Kinatar(black bell),Kipatar(scout bell),Jutamatar(personal bell)andFenitar(supply bell city).

The Kinatar can be either triangular or round and is used as a command craft by the Ata Quara. It can also be modified for passenger flight shuttles between their three home worlds. It’s about the size of a football field.

The Kipatar is roughly the size of a small house and used by both Quavian and Ata Quara as a scout craft. It is also modified for use in tourism and sightseeing.

The Jutamatar is for personal flight on the home planets, It can’t go beyond a certain height or speed and even youth can fly one. Although the inside of a Jutamatar leaves room for only one occupant, a special ultralight, sphere shaped metallic pod with little lock-in seats, can be attached to the upper back of the Jutamatar, for transporting children. It’s shape acts as a safety backup. In case of accidental detachment, the pod will float slowly downward to the trees, ground or water, where the children can be rescued unharmed.

The Fenitar is made up of many triangular Kinatari locked together and used as a traveling city and supply link during intergalactic missions by the Ata Quara. All the craft are molded from a conductive metallic crystal calledRaudum, which is found in mountainous veins on their home planets. The most abundant Raudum supply is found on Tiqur Nat Han, in the Mounds of Taru Taku. This light substance is two hundred and fifty times harder than diamond and has to go through several chemical processes before it can be smeltered. In our nearby galaxy, there are six Fenitar cities at any given time, which have transported from Atara Niri, approximately four-hundred immediately releasable Kinatar command bells and over one-thousand Kipatar scout bells. When either a Kipatar or a Kinatar needs serious repairs, it returns to a Fenitar if able, where it gets traded off. If an emergency landing takes place on some moon or planet, the onboard mechanics do the necessary repairs. The bells are so well crafted that mechanical breakdowns are very rare. If necessary, they can lock on toanother bell for transportation to a Fenitar.

The PeopleThe present king is KingAtalanara, which means Brave Light. He is approximately two-hundred and twenty years old in Atara years, which on Earth would make him at least four-hundred. A clean, disease free environment and some awesome life prolonging plants not found on Earth, ensure their longevity to at least four-hundred Atara years. They can, however, die of accidents and body degeneration and most never live to the four-hundred year mark. Those who do, are celebrated through many public festivals and given special recognition by the people and king. The greatest gift is an official invitation by the king, to live out their final time at the palace, under the care ofhis royal servants, privateIradacac(doctor) and Qadac(minister/counsellor).Most accept the offer.

Biological MakeupThe residents of Atara Niri are a humanlike species with small noses and mouths, larger brains and skulls, larger eyes, no external ear and slightly longer digits. The average adult Ataracu stands around five feetthree inches, with some taller or shorter, but never up to six feet. The average weight is about one-hundred and ten pounds, although some of the females will become pudgy after childbirth. The gestation period is around five months. Babies are born wrinkled and stay that way for several months. The average birth weight is four pounds, yet the mortality rate is high, considering their small population, especially compared toEarth. The huge planet, Tiqur Nat Han, has roughly 11.5 billion occupants, while the lower Earth sized planets, Seta Nitar Jub and Tektu Nitar Jub, each have about 3 billion occupants. A four year old Ataracu child is the size of a big two year old on Earth. They stop growing at fifteen and most retain a childlike stature for life. They have a biological structure and body similar to ours, but could have four or five fingers or toes, depending on which region they come from in the Atara Niri star system. Eachfamily averages from four to five children, although the planets are never overpopulated. If families grow too big to fit in a household, the older children are automatically sent to special camps similar to summer camps on Earth, where they eventually get trained for their chosen lifetime careers. Many of the males become Quavian or Ata Quara members, depending on their aptitude scores. The Ataracu intelligence levels vary, as on Earth. Like us, they’re not all rocket scientists, but most are level headed, unless they suffer a permanent brain injury from an accident. Anyone without hope of rehabilitation from permanent mental illness is not allowed to live in regular society for fear of harming themselves or others. In that case, the government provides for their needs and they will be assigned to a special care institution for life. The institutions can begreat places for simple living, since most are set in the country in enclosed boundaries, with outdoor access to flower, fruit and vegetable gardens, wildlife viewing windows and much more. Visitors are allowed under strict conditions to ensure their utmost safety, but if a violent episode occurs, they usually never return for further visits. Even with measures in place for ease of living, those who have acquired permanent mental issues don’t have a long lifespan and usually die within a few years of their diagnoses. Physical recovery patients and those with temporary mental issues are sent for reabilitation to similar healing sanctuaries.

What They EatThe Ataracu diet consists mainly of raw fruits and vegetables, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, small game such as rabbit and duck, certain cereal grains that can be ground for a type of flatbread, edible plants, tree nuts, certain edible insects, large snakes and ground snails. All meat is eaten cooked. They use their fingers, tongs and a device with a handle and dull corkscrew end to eat with. Two can be screwed into each side of a large piece of cooked meat to hold it for chewing, if it has no bone like a chicken leg. They work somewhat like a couple of corn cob holders. Anything that falls apart like cooked fish, is picked up and eaten with the tongs, while fruits,vegetables and their tasty cooked locust are held in the hand. Young children are allowed to just eat everything with their fingers. Hard food is pulverized for them so they don’t choke. They only drink water which can be flavoured with various minerals and beneficial plant additives. Fruit juices are consumed by eating the fruit. They never drink hot liquids. They don’t use salt, pepper, raw sugar, candy bars, potato chips, condiments, pop, processed food, chocolate, coffee, tea, alcohol, drugs and tobacco products etc. They do make use of honey from the bees, but mostly for medicinal purposes. They even use it on minor wounds, mixed with healing minerals such as zinc oxide.

What They Wear The clothing of Atara Niri varies, depending on one’slivelihood. Protective gear is worn in industry and where needed. The fashion statement hasn’t changed in thousands of years, with no brightly hued or psychedelic items. Nothing is dyed and all fashion clothing is white or beige-brown, with custom stamped natural patterns available on the white silk Jivana head dress. The fabrics range from silk to textile tough, with light, loose fitting silk robes, jumpsuits and sandals for casual/dress wear and more form fitting items and boots for industry. Industrial wear can vary in shades that range from white, beige, brown, grey metallic to black. Ata Quara commanders sometimes wear a small braided leather “beard” decoration that straps around the head and hangs from the chin. It is usually worn with a jivana when in full ceremonialdress, along with a temporary “commander” insignia painted on the forehead. There is no law preventing anyone from wearing such a fashion device, as long as they don’t use the insignia. Most average adults have no use for it, but the “beard” falls in and out of fashion within the teen circles of Atara Niri and is also offered as a novelty toy for children.

Hygiene They don’t use toothbrushes and toothpaste. Instead they chew a certain fibrous plant. It does the job, but its bitterness isn’t appreciated by all. Bad teeth are extracted, never filled. Replacement implants are available at a cost, so it’s not uncommon to have an imperfect Ataracu smile. They also tend to wear their teeth down from their diet. They don’t thrive on daily beauty regimens, makeup and enhancements, etc. like we do, and they don’t get plastic surgery of any kind. Some Ataracu are really cute, while others are plain, but they accept each other on a more mature level compared to us. The elderly tend to look leathery and bronzed and most have permanent night eye in either one or both eyes. Neither male nor female Ataracu are endowed with bragging rights, so scenarios like the bikini clad “pool bunny” teasing a married man next door or the beach jock kicking sand in a skinny guy’s face are non-existent in Atara Niri. Sex isn’t a daily routine either. It’s reserved at the female’s discretion, for making babies when she becomes impregnable about once or twice a year, until approximately seventy-five years old. The male is expected by the female to “do his duty.” A lucky male may have to repeat the process for days or even weeks. There are no age boundaries between consenting adults. A young, willing male could father the child of a seventy year old female. Some older females sometimes ruin their sexual encounters by rubbing skin smoothing oil on their bodies from theEfual Afal or Stink Eye plant. The male can’t stand the bad egg and goat cheese type of odor and runs away if the female refuses to take aSevica Libanator healing mineral powder bath. This leaves the female quite upset and angry and she usually seeks a different partner through a new courtship, hoping for success. Not all Ataracu females are foul. Some are very loving, smell nice and make perfect longtime partners. They are by no means animalistic in their sexual behavior. Promiscuity in public is forbidden by law. Discretion is always used around others, especially children.

Every family member has his or her own private sleep closet. Baby and small child sleep closets are partly see through for quick access and safety. They are light and portable, so can be moved to different areas of the home for the mother’s convenience. Every home is also equipped with a private sliding door waste disposal closet. There are two stoneware units in the closet attached to the wall like urinals, except they’re made to sit on. Waste is sucked down a drain to an incinerator. The units are also equipped with mineral powder spray wands for sanitation. They don’t use tissue or soap. The waste closet also doubles as a powder shower because they don’t bathe in tubs or take hot soapy showers like we do. They use the spray wand to coat their entire body in the mineral powder,usually every other month. The fine powder is non-irritant with a very lasting antiseptic effect. Excess powder falls through the finely gridded floor to be recycled back into the collector unit. They call this a Sevica Libanat(healing mineral powder bath). One waste seat is for adults and the other lowered for children. These little waste closets are also found in public areas for convenience. The large cooking room of a home contains a wave type of oven, a table and seats, food incinerator closet, light energy storage/solar power closet(all of which are code locked for safety), some storage shelves for food bowls, water cups and utensils. There’s a separate cold storage room below the main house which also acts as an air conditionerwhen needed.

Social and Family StructureGrandparents typically don’t play a significant role in the lives of their grown children or grandchildren, likely because they have moved on several times to create new families. Ataracu children rarely get to know their lineage past their parents. The Ataracu are very sociable, having many gatherings, public feasts and festivals throughout their year. They eat an average of four meals per day, and can snack between meals. They rarely eat alone and will often invite neighbours or passersby to join them for breakfast or dinner. The crime rate is extremely low with most crimes being petty from youth who like to challenge the system. Murder is non-existent. The last murder was six-hundred years ago. The convict was given a choice between incineration or exile to one of the insect moons. He chose incineration. The punishment for murder was set so high that it became the perfect deterrent. The Ataracu are generally a gentle, trouble free race, save for the more aggressive females who sometimes throw objects about as tempers flare. There is no formal marriage, but a registration process after partnering up for procreation, to ensure that children born will have a lifetime government registration number. The children aren’t named by their parents, but choose their own name later. If they haven’t chosen a name by adulthood, one will be chosen for them and they have to keep it even if they hate it.

Monetary SystemAt fifteen, They’re classified as young adults and can begin using their registration number throughout life to earn or trade merit points on a special adult chip card issued by the government. Extra merits can be earned for doing good deeds, while merits can also be removed for causing trouble. They have no paper or coin currency. Housing is free and earners are given a half acre of land to build on and keep for life, once they find employment. Females with children to raise are considered employed at home, so receive help from the government and biological father or fathers of the children. They don’t have to live in the same dwelling as the mother or be her sole partner, but they are heldresponsible for the financial well being of all their biological offspring. Merits are automatically transferred to the childrens’ government card, which is coded especially for child items. The mother will obtain the items with the child’s card, but can’t use it to purchase adult items for herself. She must use her own card and registration number. All the urban shopping venues are outdoor street booths that have to be taken down at the end of the day or guarded all night by the owners, at a minimum of two to three nights, before demerit points are taken for non-permanence violations. If the booths are abandoned, the government claims the surplus and distributes it to those in need. The booths are usually operated by two owners, so one can get sleep. There are no indoor malls or department stores in Atara Niri and no fast food restaurants orconvenience stores. Trading is allowed, so if an item is needed when the markets are down, they could offer to trade an item sought by someone else. They have a computerized trade network that can be searched, with the lists being updated constantly throughout the day and night.

Policing, Military and Emergency Response SystemsThe Quavian is their equivalent to our first responder system, which employs land guards and emergency responders under the Quavian title. They have little need for fire fighters due to using light and sound energy for everything, but the responders have secondary training for it, in case of a rare forest fire etc. The Ata Quara is the equivalent of an air force, but with highly trained, dedicated, multi-skilled employees who may become part of a universal mission force like the one monitoring Earth. The best trained and most intelligent among them not only mentor their own recruits but are also tasked with teaching advanced skills via telepathic means, to others throughout the universe who may be of benefit to their mission. Most are recognized for their communications and teaching skills early in their careers. Some even as young as twelve, who haven’t even finished their mandatory pilot training, have already been assigned a lifetime student. If that student dies or becomes unresponsive to learning, a new student may be assigned. It takes up to three of their years to train as military pilots. They learn in simulators and aren’t allowed on any Kinatar or Kipatar until they fully qualify. Every member on board has to be a pilot as their primary trade. The Ata Quara have their own trained emergency responders for missions. The commanders and co-commanders act as rule and law enforcers on the craft. Everyone mostly behaves, but harmless clowning around on an off duty day is allowed. Every so often, someone mentally breaks down and tries to do something illogical. Temporary restraint, quarantine, or hospitalization usually solves the problem. Sometimes all they need is a “shoulder to cry on,” so everymission command kinatar houses a resident Qadac or minister/social worker. He’s usually old and wise, having lived through many missions himself, so he knows exactly what to say to help ease their minds. Most issues are caused from fatigue. but loneliness for companionship of loved ones and family left behind in Atara Niri can be a recurring factor. Alipa Maru or sky weakness may also cause temporary issues. The Ataracu and the Ata Quara have a hospital system and doctors, with the healing technology highly advanced and beyond our capacity. They can fix damaged spinal cords or replace any body part except the brain. Once it gets damaged permanently, all hope is lost for its full recovery. It can never be transplanted. Very old Ataracu are given the choice of being euthanized if they become ill. Some will endure multiple organ replacements, but eventually, they just grow too tired and opt for the easy way out. They’re also succeptible to brain strokes after a certain age and wish to pass on with dignity. They don’t fear death, holding steadfast in their belief of reincarnation.

EntertainmentBabies and children have many toys. Most are educational, but there are also toy Ataracu and animal figures, light and sound toys, toy replicas of the great staff and toy flying bells, balls, ring toss games, puzzles, floating bubble toys, building blocks, drawing tablets, beach toys and much more. Carts pulled by little donkeys are very popular for the young. Some youth fly Jutamatar bells, but they will be taken away if used for joy riding. Adults and children attend many jester type outdoor events and feasts throughout the year, where young singers appointed by the king also entertain crowds. All can participate in games to win prizes. Some of the games are based on mental skills,while others require physical endurance and strength. Ata Quara pilots often put on public air shows to show off their acrobatic skills with the Kipatar scout bells. On Tiqur Nat Han, every evening for several months, there is a natural kaleidoscope light show caused by a setting sun’s rays reflecting off the Raudum crystal Mounds of Taru Taku. In Etuaku ej Piru, great crowds gather to watch the show, which has the added attraction of light reflecting on the moving waters of the Kirikan river, where it flows through the heart of the city. Both young and old tend to get very excited to see the prism effects. They can sometimes be ashow in themselves as they dance around like fools.

Livelihoods The list of career choices is endless in Atara Niri. Most livelihoods are trade based. Heavy technology trades include stone building and bridge construction, land engineering, mechanics, mining operations, flight navigation/engineering, grid mapping, metallurgy, Nuclear science, Kinetics, industrial design and manufacture, smelting, chemical engineering, radar specialist, pilot, computer panel operations specialist. incinerator specialist, oceanography, weather and atmosphere specialist, cultivation and farming, and much more. Lighter careers include home and personal businesses such as crafting, story telling, singing, festival entertaining, vending, house and child sitting, home care, bread making and meal preparation for the elderly, institution worker, clothing and footwear maker, property maintenance and repair, lighting, waste disposal system, solar panel, panel locks expert, computer system, climate control, water well. etc. High priority careers include all government positions including any trade classified under the government and king’s rule-Planet sector commander(like a governor), Ata Quara and Quavian- social advisor, counsellor, teacher/trainer, minister, doctor, scientist, physicist, botanist, skilled mapper, emergency responder, guard, bell mechanic, pilot, Kinatar commander, co-commander, instrument panel specialist, balancer specialist, communications specialist, Fenitar sector commander, Fenitar sector co-commander, royal advisor, royal servant, king. The elderly and stay at home mothers are classified as wards under the government, rather than trade workers or career specialists, but they are allowed to run a home business for extra merit points, without affecting their government care, as long as they have a provable need. If a male, or female with no children, is under one-hundred years old and in good health, he or she is expected to find work of some kind, unless she has a temporary physical handicap like a missing arm, hand, leg, foot or eye from an accident. These conditions are covered by placement in a healing sanctuary, as amputees receive new limbs or eye transplants as soon as they become available. Anyone in good physical and mental condition who refuses to work or forgets skills, is detained by law in a government labour camp for retraining in a trade choice. They could spend anywhere from three months to three years in the camp, but are fully employable afterward, with the option to continue learning for an advanced position. These do not include any members of the Ata Quara, which has it’s own internal disciplinary committee, laws and consequences. For instance, the Ata Quara, if ever faced with a murder situation, has the right to simply open a hatch and dispose of the murderer. In their murder free history on board the bells, they have never had to make that ruling, but it still exists. Permanent mental and physical issues are dealt with by sending the problem ac to one of the fenitar cities, where special sectors are available to deal with the issues.

Time and Speed From the perspective of the Ataracu, time is known as the “everwill.” They consider it infinite, but like us, they divide it into intervals for organizing their lives and history. Their calculation of time is quite different from ours, as it is adjusted to suit their longer years and seasons.It takes the Ata Quara seven years their time to reach Earth, traveling at speeds faster than light. That would be a little over fifteen Earth years. They can travel up to one-thousand times thespeed of light.ATA IBUwas assigned to teach when he was twelve and his student was just born. Due to the time difference between Atara Niri and Earth, the student is now fifteen years older than the teacher.